Resident Coordinator of the United Nations to Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, has raised concerns over the continuous detention of a group of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in Sri Lanka.
In a statement, Marc-André Franche said in December 2024, a group of 116 Rohingyas arrived in Sri Lanka by sea and since been in detention in Mullaitivu.
Commending the Government and the Sri Lanka Navy for rescuing them and providing humanitarian assistance, he urged the authorities to also provide access to the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in line with the long-standing agreement with the Government and proceed with registration.
“The UNHCR has reiterated its offer to proceed with registration so they can be released from detention. As underlined to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in line with the call of the United Nations Secretary-General to continue protecting the Rohingya people, we recall that prolonged detention infringes their rights and is an obstacle to durable solutions,” he added.
The UN Resident Coordinator to Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, pointed out that as the United Nations marks 8 years since the forced mass displacement from Rakhine State, Rohingya people in and outside of Myanmar are facing a further deterioration of their already dire circumstances. (Newswire)
